Security forces disperse fresh anti-coup protests in Sudan
October 30, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – Thousands of Sudanese took to the streets in the Sudanese capital and 16 other cities across the country, to protest against the military coup of General al-Burhan in October 2021.
During the anti-coup protests dubbed “Martyrs’ Banners”, the Resistance Committees held up banners with the photos of the 119 people killed by the security forces and police during the one-protests that started immediately after the coup.
In Khartoum city, thousands of demonstrators gathered in the Bashdar area, south of Khartoum, before heading to the presidential palace and being dispersed with tear gas and stun grenades.
The police further chased the protesters in the streets of the neighbourhood nearby the headquarters of the military-led government.
The protesters told Sudan Tribune they are resolved to continue the peaceful protests despite the violent repression exercised by the military government.
“We are protesting to restore civilian rule, and we will not stop demonstrating until our goal is achieved. We will not allow the army to rule again,” Ahmed Hussein a protester told Sudan Tribune.
“Our destiny is that we are the generation that will end the military coups in Sudan forever, and we will not stop this battle,” Hussein further added before resuming to chant anti-coup slogans with other protesters.
In Omdurman, thousands of protesters arrived at the parliament building as others demonstrated on Al-Arbaeen Street when the police forces fired tear gas to disperse them.
In Khartoum North (Bahri), the security forces prevented protesters from crossing the Mek Nimr Bridge leading to Khartoum, dispersing them when they reached the lift side of the Nile River.
Similar protests took place in the cities of Madani, Al-Manaqil, Singa, Abu Hajjar, Al-Duwaym, Port Sudan, Kassala, Gedarif, Karima, Dongola, Dabba, El Fasher and Zalingei, among other towns.
On October 29, Sudanese Islamists protested outside the UNITAMS building in Khartoum. Many posts on social media mentioned the peaceful attitude towards the protesters who called to expel the head of the mission.
Journalists wounded
The security forces injured two journalists while covering the anti-coup protests in Khartoum on Sunday.
Mohamed al-Mustafa was hit in the back by a stun grenade, while photojournalist Fayez Abu Bakr was hit with a tear gas canister in the head. Both were taken to the hospital for treatment.
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate condemned the “targeting of journalists” and “excessive use of violence by the security forces against peaceful protesters.”
The pro-democracy group further warned the authorities about “the high rates of violence against journalists, media professionals and photographers,” adding they are considered “legitimate targets.”
(ST)